Victoria Kelsay-2 1/2 wk postop and home!!

Hello, Everyone! I am home from Mexico and feeling good. Health care in Mexico is very different than here. My surgeon and his team (Dr. Joya) were very skilled and a lot of fun. He was much more conservative on his post op care than most of the doctors here in the states that I was looking at, he claimed he wanted to protect his well above average mortality and incident rates. Even though it was all for my own good, it was a bit much at times and I don't agree with his rationale of waiting 4 days before doing the methylene blue test to check for leaks. I can't imagine not wanting to know ASAP that a patient has a potential leak, but this was something he was firm on. I really loved one of his partners who made house calls everyday at the hotel and was very compassionate when I was crying that I was homesick and depressed. My grandfather died two days before I left for mexico and kind of set the stage for a emotional recovery in the hospital. I must be honest though, the nursing care in Mexico is far below what's provided here in the states. The nurses are kind, compassionate and sweet. They are fabulous bed makers but don't seem to have any critical thinking skills and I doubt that they could rapidly identify potential complications. I'm not sure how their training compares to that of nurses in the states, but I would only recommend going to Mexico for surgery if you take someone with you that has a medical knowledge base. The cost savings is staggering. The total cost of my surgery, hospitalization, medications, post op care, hotel and airfare was only $12,500. People should know that one of the factors that influence the cost is the lack of malpractice insurance. Mexican doctors don't have to carry it. The US is the only country that I know of where people can file litigation against their health care provider. Since you can't sue your doctor in Mexico, there's no need for malpractice insurance (which is very expensive). I must say,though...it was an incredibly beautiful place to recover. After being discharged from the hospital, I layed out on the beach every morning for a couple of hours and came home with a great tan! There were at least 9 other americans there having either RNY or lap band in the two weeks that I was there. There were two other women from the US that had their RNY within 24 hours of me. We kind of buddied up and had rooms across the hall from each other. I am down 13 pounds and am still not really hungry. I have moments when I think I want something to eat, but I'm not physiologically hungry. I think it's more appetite than hunger. I find myself eating a little more than I should at times and dumping or feeling bad. I am looking forward to being able to add some protein to my diet (other than shakes/drinks) and think that will help a lot with my appetite. My doctor said that I needed to do full liquids for two weeks. Next week I'll get to go to blended foods. I have found it much easier to find foods here in the states that I can have now. Carnation Instant breakfast (SF) and cream of wheat are life savers and were unavailable in Puerto Vallarta. I am hoping to come to the April support group meeting. I am going to take some mandatory classes next week at work and will return to full duty work in ICU on the 11th. I have been very active since my surgery and from what I can see and feel, I am healing nicely. The day I was discharged from the hospital, my girlfriends and I went shopping for three hours! I would love to have any suggestions, recipes, food ideas or thoughts about this first month post op period. I am taking two flinstone chewables a day for a multi vitamin and three Tums daily for calcium (at the direction of my physician). On my own, I went ahead and got some sublingual B12 and started it today. I need to go back to work on schedule and I can't afford to get down nutritionally. My PCP has agreed to follow me and my post wls needs. I'm going to try to get in to see him in the next few weeks. I hope the weight loss continues, I still have this goofy voice in the back of my head that questions whether this will really work or not. I think it's the same ugly person that got me this fat in the first place. I am trying to shut her up once and for all, but it's tough. For today, I am pleased with my progress thus far and am thankful to God and all those who helped me obtain this surgery. It truly is a gift and I am going to do everything I can do to protect the investment I've made. Thanks for all the support and companionship. It has helped so much to know that there are folks out there that have been where I have and are feeling the same things I do. Victoria Kelsay

Victoria, YEAH!! Welcome home! I've been thinking so much about you since March 14th! I'm glad that things went well. I am glad that your surgery went well and you liked your surgeon. Being the experienced nurse that you are, you could zero in on the positive/negative aspects of the center in Mexico. All that matters is that you had your surgery, it was successful without any complications and you are home safe. I missed you on our Board. I will share with you in the beginning when I had my surgery that I didn't tell hardly anyone. I didn't want to hear "You're going to die" plus I knew I was going to be the ONE person in the history of bariatric surgery that was not successful. You are not alone in your concerns. I know you WILL be successful. It will take awhile to settle that voice inside you to be as confident in your success as I am. It will happen for you. I know it! I am so sorry about your grandfather's death before your surgery. I commend you for going ahead with your commitment to yourself and surgery. I'm sure he would have wanted you to go forward for yourself and your future health. I admire your dedication and commitment to yourself and your healthy lifestyle that you're now on. Thanks for sharing your experience in Mexico. I was anxious to hear from you about your surgery and that you were home but also your impressions of things there. Welcome back home, both to Missouri and to our Board!! Cathy ObesityHelp Support Group Specialist

Victoria.... Very happy to see you back home and posting to us! Yes .... after it is all said and done.. there truly is no place like home. It makes us realize just how great our country is, even with all it's faults... it is still home!... I'm very sorry to hear about your grandpa honey ((hugs)) I know that you are still hurting and grieving... Nothing that I could say can take away that pain...but do know that I am thinking of you right now... and I know your grandpa is watching over you and protecting you as well!.... I just am tickled that you are HOME and back on our MO board.... Make sure that you rest and stay hydrated!... Elizabeth~

Hey Victoria, so did you think of me while you were on the beaches south of the border. I still think i should have gone with you lol. Glad to hear you are doing so good with the recovery. I am sorry to hear about your grandpa. I sure he is proud of you for taking charge of your life and heading to a healthy lifestyle. Welcome home and I hope to see you at the next meeting. Wayne Ps... Remember, next time your paying for a vacation I'm the first person on your list to go